"It is easier to say now I regret but at the time it was the right decision but it was a right decision for Notshe which makes me happier," said Stormers coach John Dobson with a low pitched proud tone.
Sharks No. 8 Skhumbuzo Notshe will be going up against his former team on Saturday and his mentor, Stormers coach, John Dobson, is happy to see his mentes thriving in Durban.
"Notshe is a really really good friend of mine, when he wanted to leave he came to my house and we had a long chart. Its weird, you watching him score against the Jaguares and jumping 'yes' but you are playing him next week, so it is going to be really conflicted. He has been wanting that kind of breakthrough for a longtime, I have been working with him since 2012, so I'm really pleased for him, hope it does not go to well for this Saturday," said Dobson.
After falling down the perking order and struggling for a starting berth at the Stormers, Notshe opted for a move to the Sharks. The move to Durban has paid huge dividends as Notshe is playing his best rugby. After the great form he has shown, John Dobson does not regret letting go of him.
"He is a really good friend of mine, he is a house friend, I say that sincerely. Notshe is a five or six cap Springbok, he wanted to play Springboks and to be a Springbok you have to be starting in Super Rugby. With the plan to move Siya Kholisi to No.8 and Jaco Coetzee, could I guarantee Notshe a place in the starting lineup on the form of last year and the year before, a starting place in the Stormers, would be irresponsible to promise that.
So we literally shook hands, and I said 'Notshe I would love to keep you, we want to keep you,' we made him an offer but he had to look at his reality of game time. So I always knew if he would get a run he would be good, he would come off the bench beating himself up" continued Dobson.
Dobson believes that the Sharks style of play is tailored for Notshe and he has urged his player to close the spaces in an attempt to nullify Notshe.
"I think the turnover style of play the Sharks are playing suits him. It is hard to shutdown Notshe in space, disappointed we could not give him those opportunities here over the past few years. Notshe can do the hard yards, I do think the guys will keep an eye on him, but we can not let him enjoy the space he has in the last few weeks," concluded Dobson.
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